Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | October 2, 1962 |
Nationality | American |
Career information | |
College | Indiana University |
Position | City Manager for the City of Portland, Maine |
Jon Paul Jennings (born October 2, 1962 in Richmond, Indiana) is an American politician and basketball coach currently serving as City Manager for the City of Portland, Maine. He was formerly the founder, president, and general manager of the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.
Jennings attended Indiana University was a student manager for the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team. While still in school he was hired by the Indiana Pacers as a scout and video coordinator. He joined the Boston Celtics organization in 1986 where he worked as a scout (1986-1990), assistant coach (1990-1994), and Director of Basketball Development (1994-1997).
From 1997-2000, Jennings worked in the White House Office as senior assistant in the Office of Cabinet Affairs, director of policy coordination, liaison to the president's initiative on race, and Acting Assistant Attorney General in charge of legislative affairs. Jennings was selected as a White House Fellow in 1997.
In May 2000, Jennings was named Vice President of Business Development for Givenation.com, a Non-profit organization run by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Steve Grossman. He later rejoined the Celtics organization as a scout.
Jennings completed his degree work on a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard.
In 2004, Jennings ran for Indiana's 8th congressional seat as a conservative Democrat opposed to abortion rights and gun control. He defeated Bill Pearman in the Democratic primary but lost to incumbent John Hostettler in the general election.